Swift Current Hosts SMA Roadmap Day: Showcasing Rural Family Medicine

The Swift Current Family Medicine site recently hosted the Saskatchewan Medical Association (SMA) Road Map Tour, an opportunity to showcase the community’s medical training environment. This event, organized in collaboration with the SMA, gave learners a hands-on introduction to rural and regional family practice.

The SMA Road Map Tour is a province-wide initiative designed to expose medical students to the rewards of practicing in rural and regional communities. Hosting this event was a collaborative effort, and Swift Current was proud to be selected as a destination this year.

A New Chapter for Swift Current: Becoming a SLIC Site

As a newly designated SLIC (Saskatchewan Longtitudinal Integrated Clerkship) site, Swift Current is taking a significant step forward in medical education. This designation means the site will welcome two undergraduate learners who will spend most of their third year of training immersed in the community. “This adds another layer of learners to our site,” said Dr. Kelsy Leavins, Family Medicine Site Director. “We’re excited about the increased opportunities for our residents to teach clerks more often.”

A Collaborative Effort Between Faculty and Residents

The Road Map Day brought together an impressive team of faculty and residents. Dr. Leavins was joined by Dr. Sarah Harrison (FM-EM Site Director) and Dr. Austin Little (SLIC Director) to kick off the event. Family Medicine faculty from three Swift Current clinics contributed their expertise during the day’s skill stations at the hospital.

Throughout the day, faculty members Dr. Alta Van Breta, Dr. Jas Khinda, Dr. Emmett Harrison, Dr. Kristine Pederson, Dr. Laura Del Virario, Dr. Joy Sarofim, Dr. Kade Robertson, and Dr. Geoff Zerr provided invaluable guidance at skills stations alongside residents Dr. Nick Bell (R1), Dr. Richard Ngo (R2), and Dr. Elizabeth Hanson (R2). Together, they showcased the supportive and collaborative spirit of Swift Current’s medical community. 

Hands-On Learning

Learners participated in a variety of interactive teaching sessions covering essential medical skills, including:

• Neonatal resuscitation (suctioning, intubation, umbilical vein catheter)
• Fetal scalp electrode placement
• Suturing and perineal repairs
• Mini simulations in the simulation lab

The day also included a hospital tour, giving learners a full picture of Swift Current’s healthcare facilities.

A Rewarding and Memorable Experience for Swift Current

For the Swift Current team, the most rewarding part of the day was sharing their passion for generalist family practice. “We love our jobs,” Dr. Leavins said. “It was fun to show upcoming physicians how rewarding a career in Swift Current can be.”

Hosting the SMA Road Map Tour aligns perfectly with Swift Current’s training goals: preparing learners for rural and regional practice while maintaining strong retention rates. The hope is that the experience will inspire learners to return to Swift Current for rotations, SLIC training, residency, or even long-term practice.

“Swift Current is a lovely city with an excellent and supportive medical community,” said Dr. Leavins. The event was a chance for the city to shine and for learners to see firsthand the potential for a fulfilling career in rural family medicine.

With events like the SMA Road Map Tour, Swift Current continues to build its reputation as a hub for exceptional medical education and rural healthcare training.